Asure, who chairs the prison board, faulted officers for airing jail problems in public rather than bringing them to officials for resolution. She said some officers falsely characterized the circumstances under which she received a cell phone call during a recent visit to the Snydersville facility — where cell phones are banned.

Asure said she received permission from Warden Marlene Chamblee to bring a cell phone into the jail because she was expecting two important legal phone calls from attorneys concerning the prison. Asure said prison employees heavily criticized her for taking the call despite her own past efforts to support prison staff.

“I’m not the type of politician who flaunts my position and says, ‘Look at me,’” she said. “I’m one of the few guys who support you in public and you stab me in the back.”

Asure told about a dozen corrections officers and spouses that allegations detailed in a Pocono Record story Tuesday about the forced retirement of deputy warden Daniel Slashinski are counter-productive.

“It only works from telling us,” she said. “It doesn’t work from telling the press and telling the public.”

Corrections officer Joe Dougher said his assertions, in a letter to prison officials, that jail employees have been treated unfairly since six officers were implicated in a 2006 sex scandal are based on the views of those who work there.

“There’s a perception we’re being punished for something that was done two years ago,” Dougher said. “It all seems it’s geared up to punish us. It’s not just me. All the officers feel the same way.”

Officers said morale among employees has reached a new low. They cited failure to reach agreement on a new four-year contract — a matter headed to binding arbitration — and the decision by prison officials not to consult them about placement of new security cameras.

“Everything gets locked up now” by maintenance workers without any access from security officers, said Scott Jackson.

“The spirit is broken,” said Tom Pagliano. “It’s like when you beat a dog, the dog is broken.”

“I have never seen morale so low as it is now,” said Louise Kramer. “If you come out and meet with us ... I think everybody would appreciate it.”

Asure said she is available.

“You can grab me and pull me aside,” she said. “I’m not scared. ...None of us is adverse to getting the conversation going.”

Asure said the additional security cameras are primarily for the protection of corrections officers.

“We need you to change with it because you’re under more dangers,” Asure said. “You have more responsibilities.”